Finding cheap plane tickets can make a big difference to your travel budget, and it’s easier than you might think! With a few insider tips and strategies, you can discover great deals, avoid hidden fees, and book your flights for a fraction of the usual price. Here’s a step-by-step guide to finding the cheapest plane tickets for your next adventure.
1. Start Your Search Early and Set Fare Alerts
Timing is one of the most crucial factors when it comes to securing cheap flights. Generally, flights are cheapest if booked several weeks to a few months in advance.
- Best Time to Book: For domestic flights, aim to book at least 1-3 months in advance. For international trips, start searching 3-6 months before your planned departure.
- Set Fare Alerts: Use websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak to set fare alerts for specific routes. These alerts will notify you when prices drop, allowing you to jump on a great deal when it becomes available.
2. Use Incognito Mode or Clear Your Browser Cookies
Airlines and booking sites often use your search history to influence flight prices. To avoid seeing inflated fares, use incognito mode or clear your cookies when searching for flights.
- How It Works: When you search repeatedly for the same route, some booking engines may increase the prices, creating a sense of urgency. Incognito mode helps you avoid this by resetting your search history each time.
3. Try Flexible Dates and Destinations
Flexibility is one of the best ways to unlock the lowest fares. Airfare can vary significantly depending on the time of year, day of the week, and even time of day.
- Flexible Date Search: Most flight search engines, including Google Flights and Skyscanner, allow you to view prices across an entire month. This makes it easy to identify the cheapest days to fly.
- Try Multiple Airports: Check if nearby airports have cheaper options. For example, if you’re flying from New York, compare fares from JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia.
- Destination Flexibility: If you’re open to different destinations, try searching “Anywhere” on Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights to various locations.
4. Sign Up for Airline Newsletters and Flash Sales
Many airlines offer exclusive deals through their newsletters or frequent flyer programs. By signing up, you’ll be among the first to know about flash sales, promotions, and error fares.
- Join Airline Mailing Lists: Airlines like Southwest, Ryanair, and EasyJet frequently run sales that only last 24-48 hours. Being on their mailing list means you’ll be notified as soon as these deals go live.
- Follow Airlines on Social Media: Some airlines announce promotions on platforms like Twitter or Instagram, so it’s a good idea to follow them there as well.
5. Book Connecting Flights and Compare Airlines
Direct flights are usually more convenient but can also be more expensive. Booking a flight with a layover can often save you a significant amount of money.
- Use Multi-City Search: Websites like Kayak and Google Flights allow you to search for multi-city flights, which can sometimes be cheaper than booking a direct route.
- Check Budget Airlines: Budget airlines such as Spirit, Frontier (USA), Ryanair, and EasyJet (Europe) offer lower prices, though they may charge extra for baggage or seat selection. Be sure to calculate any additional fees before booking.
6. Take Advantage of Travel Credit Cards and Reward Programs
Travel credit cards and frequent flyer programs can help you earn miles that can be redeemed for free or discounted flights. Many cards also come with sign-up bonuses that can cover the cost of a ticket.
- Best Travel Credit Cards: Look for cards with high sign-up bonuses, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Platinum, which offer points that can be transferred to airlines.
- Frequent Flyer Programs: Join programs like Delta SkyMiles, British Airways Avios, or United MileagePlus. These programs allow you to accumulate points that can be redeemed for future flights.
7. Consider Booking One-Way Tickets with Different Airlines
Sometimes booking two one-way tickets with different airlines is cheaper than booking a round-trip ticket with the same airline.
- Mix-and-Match Airlines: Compare one-way flights from different airlines to see if it reduces your total cost. Booking this way might also allow for more flexibility with your travel schedule.
- Check Budget Airlines: Often, budget airlines offer cheaper one-way fares than traditional carriers. Be sure to check for any baggage fees or restrictions.
8. Monitor for Error Fares and Flash Sales
Error fares happen when airlines accidentally list flights at unusually low prices. These are rare but can offer substantial savings if you’re quick enough to book.
- Use Websites That Track Error Fares: Websites like Secret Flying, Scott’s Cheap Flights, and Airfarewatchdog specialize in spotting and sharing error fares. Subscribe to these platforms to receive instant notifications.
- Act Quickly: If you find an error fare, book immediately. Airlines sometimes cancel these tickets, but they often honor them if the booking is made before the error is corrected.
9. Be Aware of Extra Fees and Restrictions
Some low-cost airlines offer cheaper fares but may charge extra for services like checked baggage, seat selection, and even carry-on luggage.
- Check Baggage Fees: Always read the fine print on baggage fees, as these can add up quickly. If you’re booking with a budget airline, consider packing light to avoid checked baggage fees.
- Compare the Total Cost: Make sure to calculate the total cost with all added fees to see if it’s genuinely cheaper than flying with a standard airline.
10. Use Flight Aggregators and Compare Multiple Search Engines
No single search engine can guarantee the lowest fare, so it’s always a good idea to compare a few different sites.
- Top Flight Search Engines: Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Momondo are excellent options for comparing fares across multiple airlines. They offer features like flexible date search and price alerts.
- Check Airline Websites Directly: Sometimes airlines offer lower prices on their official websites. After finding a fare on a third-party site, double-check the airline’s website to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Finding the cheapest plane tickets requires a bit of strategy and flexibility, but the savings are well worth the effort. By setting alerts, using flight comparison sites, staying flexible with dates, and leveraging loyalty programs, you can make your travel budget go much further. So, get ready to explore new destinations without breaking the bank!
